Cherreads

Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: Money Isn't Everything

Tokai Teio. A living legend.

An SSR character in the game, the protagonist of the anime's second season. Her looks, status, race record, and titles were all exceptionally impressive.

But that wasn't what Shinji Kitahara was focused on.

He was focused on Tokai Teio's fame on another, more notorious level.

Dokusenryoku. Obsessive possessiveness.

Her reputation in the "heavy track" of fan culture was comparable to the most infamous figures in their respective genres, a heavyweight who could go toe-to-toe with the titans of the 3D zone.

If an average horse girl's danger level was a 60, and a Tracen horse girl's was an 80, then the Tokai Teio standing before him was at least a 120. And if you factored in the basement memes, her score would easily exceed 300.

Shinji couldn't be sure if this seemingly normal and cute girl was truly the legendary 'Mistress of the Basement.'

But what he could be sure of was that he wanted absolutely nothing to do with her.

However, despite the initial shock of Teio's sudden appearance, Shinji quickly calmed himself down.

No, no need to be nervous. No matter how dangerous Tokai Teio is, it has nothing to do with me. I'm not her trainer, and we have no deep connection. As long as I don't actively court disaster—like trying to befriend her or becoming her trainer—then no matter how dangerous she is, she's no threat to me. I might even get to watch the drama from the sidelines.

Besides, their paths were unlikely to cross in any meaningful way.

One was a superstar genius aiming for an undefeated Triple Crown. The other was a slacker trainer who had barely scraped his way into Tracen and spent his days thinking about how to get by.

The gap between them was like the difference between the clouds and the mud. After this meeting, they probably wouldn't have another chance to interact.

Still, just to be safe, Shinji decided to take some extra measures to ensure Tokai Teio's impression of him wouldn't be too good.

"Ah, Miss Tokai Teio? A pleasure," he said with a nod. Then, Shinji immediately turned his attention back to his phone screen, shamelessly crossing his legs. If he were a smoker, he would have definitely lit a cigarette at that moment.

Seeing his behavior, Tokai Teio frowned.

"Eclipse, is this the trainer you were talking about?"

"Yes."

"He's..."

"He's always like this."

After explaining, Eclipse looked at Shinji. "Alright, I've already submitted the application forms for trainer and charge. Let's go to the Chairwoman's office to get them signed."

"Hold on, let me finish this round."

Shinji expertly switched to a game interface, pretending to be in the middle of an intense battle. After a good while, he slowly got up, nonchalantly brushing the grass clippings from his pants.

"Okay, let's go."

While Shinji was playing his game, Tokai Teio hadn't left. She had been standing nearby, whispering with Eclipse about something. When Shinji got up, she followed along.

A short while later, they arrived at the Chairwoman's office and signed the contract that formalized their relationship.

And then...

"Um, Trainer Shinji Kitahara, where are you going?"

By the time Tokai Teio realized what was happening, the three of them were already standing at the main gate of Tracen Academy.

"Going home, of course," Shinji said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Tokai Teio looked from Shinji to Eclipse, then asked uncertainly, "Um, isn't this your first day? And you two just signed your contract. Aren't you going to look around the academy a bit more?"

"There's plenty of time for that later."

"Shouldn't you at least test her stats? So you can prepare a training plan for her when you get back..."

"No need. I've known her since we were kids. I know exactly what she's capable of," Shinji shrugged. "Besides, one of the conditions for her agreeing to be my charge was that I'm not allowed to interfere with her actions in any way, much less order her to do anything."

"...What?" Tokai Teio blinked.

"It means, if she wants to train, she trains. If she doesn't, she doesn't. As long as she doesn't ask for my help, I'll just act as if I never signed her on as my charge. Isn't that right, Eclipse?"

Shinji looked at Eclipse, who gave a slight nod. "I'm not very comfortable with being controlled."

This...

Tokai Teio's expression slowly turned to one of bewilderment.

She had seen all sorts of horse girls and trainers. Some trusted each other like siblings, working together to conquer the racetrack. Some were so deeply attached that they got married right after their three-year contract ended. She had even seen relationships break down so badly that one was forcibly taken to a basement.

But she had never seen a pair like the two in front of her.

Any trainer who could make it into the main Tracen Academy was top-tier. Even if they weren't arrogant, they would at least have a strong drive to succeed.

And the horse girls at Tracen were even more competitive. With their innate love for running, once they entered this temple dedicated to sprinting, they wouldn't just avoid slacking off; many would secretly do extra training on their own.

But these two...

Shinji Kitahara might as well have had the words "I AM A SLACKER" written across his face.

And while Eclipse looked normal on the surface, it now seemed she was just as lazy in private.

One didn't want to manage, and the other didn't want to be managed. These two were a perfect match.

Tokai Teio watched the pair about to leave, the corner of her eye twitching.

But just as she was about to see them off, she suddenly remembered something and called out.

"Wait, Trainer Kitahara."

Shinji's heart leaped into his throat, a bad feeling rising within him. He managed to keep his expression calm as he turned around.

"What is it, Miss Tokai Teio?"

"Um..."

Tokai Teio hesitated for a moment. "Could you be my trainer?"

Shinji Kitahara: "...?"

Lady, are you out of your mind?

I've been this much of a slacker, and you're still targeting me? Don't tell me I have some kind of horse girl catnip constitution?

Tokai Teio could probably guess what he was thinking and hurriedly explained.

"It's like this. President Rudolf achieved her undefeated Triple Crown without a trainer. I want to prove myself, and I'm confident I can win the Triple Crown without relying on a trainer either. But the President keeps insisting I find one, saying she'll assign one to me if I don't find one soon. And I can't enter races without a trainer, so..."

So you wanted to find a slacker who wouldn't manage you, is that it?

Shinji Kitahara never would have imagined that his plan would backfire so spectacularly. He deeply regretted his actions. If he had known, he would have acted at least a little more diligent.

But even so, he had no intention of accepting Tokai Teio's invitation.

What a joke. This was Tokai Teio.

Agreeing to be her trainer was basically sticking one foot into the basement. He was still young; he wasn't ready to take root underground just yet.

But...

"I heard from Eclipse that you became a trainer for the money, right?"

Tokai Teio lifted her chin, a blue flame seemingly burning in her eyes.

"All I want is victory. As long as you agree to be my trainer and don't interfere with any of my affairs, I'll give you double my share of the prize money from my races."

The moment her words fell, her small, outstretched hand was firmly grasped.

Shinji Kitahara's expression was solemn, his tone serious.

"Deal."

-------

Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!

Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA

I, Herta's Fiancé, the Universe's Number One Male Fist (111 Chapter)

Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (220 Chapter)

Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (220 Chapter)

MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (90 Chapter)

BLEACH: Blade of Purification (100 Chapter)

Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (260 Chapter)

My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (98 Chapter)

The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp (100 Chapter)

Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! short videos is making the veteran players lose...(57 Chapter)

Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live (140 Chapter)

Zenless Zone Zero The Random Kamen Rider (100 Chapter)

Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino (70 Chapter)

Naruto: I Can Synthesize Summoning Beasts (40 Chapter)

Demon Slayer: The Great Swordsman's System, Disciple of Yoriichi (70 Chapter)

My Wife is a General, but I'm an Emanator of Abundance! (80 Chapter)

Type-Moon: My Nine-Fold Path (60 Chapter)

Uma Musume: They're Peeking at My Diary, and All of Tracen is Panickin (50 Chapter)

The Wild History of Type-Moon world (40 Chapter)

Reborn in Conan, But I Refuse to Be the Bad Guy (40 Chapter)

Ruan Mei is begging me to go back? But there's no going back anymore (40 Chapter)

If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.

More Chapters